Here are the kids at the conservency, they really had a blast running through the woods, scooping up the muck and looking for bugs and whatever else might be in there! We got lucky in the morning it was overcast and cool, but as we were there the sun came out and warmed us up.


As promised, here is a picture of the girls in their "Back to School" outfits from Auntie Krista. It finally cooled off enough to wear them and now we can't get it to warm up again, I think it is official fall is here.

Things have been going well here, we are finally done with the house repairs, new roof and new siding, such a pain having to deal with so many different people when going through the insurance co. Bryan continues to work on the kitchen floors and we have to finalize the measurements for new counter tops and then that order can be placed, hopefully the kitchen will be complete soon. We expect our new living room furnature in November so we are planning to have that room ready by then, and then I think we will take a bit of a break on home renovations.
Olivia, my good sleeper, has made a change for the worse in the past weeks, she has taken to getting up at 6am and will not go back to sleep! Since she is now getting up so early you can imagine her mood by early afternoon, not so hot. Since I am not going to deal with a cranky 2 year old she is now back to 2 naps a day. She is not too happy about this and will get out of bed as many times as I put her down, after about 30 min. she will usually fianlly fall asleep. If the kid would just sleep until 7 life would be so much easier for all of us, but that is the way it goes sometimes!
Joseph is also now begining to get up at a more reasonable hour, around 8 or 8:30 and this is nice because then he too can take an earlier morning nap. Things are going well for Joseph, since we saw the specalist he has only spit up blood once so we were able to cancel our appointment with the specialist this week. He is continuing to spit up large amounts, and reflux but from what his ped. said this next stretch is the worst and then after 9 mo. it tends to drop off, lets hope so! Joseph is eating cereal and vegies and he loves them! He will hit the tray of his highchair if you are not feeding him fast enough, which is really cute right now but I have a feeling it will not be so cute when he is 2 so we are going to begin the baby sign and see how that goes.
Eileen is continuing to love school, she just went on her first field trip yesterday to the apple orchard. She had a great time, she got to pick apples right off the tree! She was also very good about sharing her apples with all of us, we all got to have apples with our dinner last night. This school takes a field trip about once a month, which is great for such a young group of childern. Next month I get to join them on a trip to the pumpkin patch!
Some sad news, Bryan's grandmother is very sick in the hospital the doctors don't think she has much longer. Please say a prayer for Bryan's family as they prepare for such a tremendous loss and that she is able to go pecefully.

We Have Been Busy!

It has been a while since I have updated the blog, I do apologize for this. We have been very busy here in The Falls. Eileen is enjoying her new school, teacher, and friends. Last weekend we attened a Family Fun Day at her school, it was a nice way to meet some of the other parents as well as the school board. The girls had a blast playing all of the games, choosing itmes from the bake sale, and jumping in the "moon walk". The highlight of the day were the temporary tatoos! Here is a picture of the girls, Eileen showing off her tatoo, and Olivia remembering that she had a brownie! It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, we all enjoyed the time outside as a family.
Last week Tuesday Eileen began her dance class! She is so excited to take her class, it is both tap and ballet. She has her dance bag (it used to be mine, we picked it up in Madison last weekend) and she keeps all of her dance itmes in it. She was very pleased to have this since her teacher mentioned during the first class that she would like everyone to have a bag to keep their things in.
Last Wednesday the kids and I went to the Lac Lawrann Conservancy with my MOMS group. We had a really good time walking through the woods, although for a good portion of the walk I had Joseph in the carrier on my front and Olivia riding piggy-back, thank God Eileen was willing to walk! The girls had a great time scooping up the muck and looking for bugs in the marsh water. When the hike was complete we went to the shelter where the guides had a nice activity for the children to do. The kids and I really enjoyed ourselves, and even better everyone took AMAZING naps that afternoon! We will definitely have to do this again!
I took some pictures, but for some reason they will not come up and I have to finish this so I will post them at another time!

Go Bears!

I was taking Joseph's picture in his Bears outfit and Olivia wanted to join the photo op!

Olivia and Joseph having fun in their orange and blue, Bryan was out all day helping his friend move into his new house so I am sure next week Bryan will have them in green and gold.

By the way for those of you who didn't watch, the Bears killed the Packers.

Eileen's First Day of School!
Eileen had her first day of school today at her new school, the Menomonee Falls Preschool Co-op. Eileen was very excited about going to school again but I think she was the most pleased with her new outfit! She had a great day, she likes her teacher and all of her new friends. Thank you to Krista and Nathan for coming over to watch the kids two days in a row so I could attend the school meeting yesterday and go with Eileen to school today. Her going to school today really made me realize how big she is getting, her classroom is upstairs and she has a locker! Watching her climb those stairs to her room got me a little choked up, and then she opened her locker and hung up her coat all by herself. She said she really likes her teacher and she had fun with her new friends, lets hope the year continues this well.

Eileen getting ready for school and Olivia getting ready to try out for flashdance!


Climbing the stairs to her new classroom


Hanging up her coat and posing in front of her locker, I promise she did have a good time!

Our Trip to Northern Bay Golf Resort & Marina

Krista and Carl bid on a week long stay at this resort in Arkdale, WI (about 30 miles north of the Dells) and were kind enough to invite all of us to stay with them for a few days! We had a great time swimming in the pools, playing at the playground, playing tennis, playing vollyball (or just in the sand for the court), hanging out at the beautiful house, and some of the men played a round of golf on this amazing course with replica holes, including the 13th hole at Agusta (from what I hear this is a big deal).
Eileen and Olivia
had a great time playing in this little pool that was only one and a half feet deep at the deepest point. The girls loved that they could "swim" all by them selves! We took Joseph into the big pool because that was easier for us, although he did enjoy sitting in the little pool and playing with the mini fountains.
Grandpa helping Olivia with her shoe while Eileen looks on.
The girls "playing tennis" with Auntie Krista and Grandma.
Olivia and Auntie Krista going for a walk, I think she still needs some help with her shoes!

Too tired to walk home! Auntie Krista is the best pushing Nathan and Olivia in the stroller!

Olivia and Grandma playing with playdough on the deck while looking for Daddy to the putt on the 9th hole, that was our view, I think she said she saw him about 4 times!
Eileen, Nathan, Olivia and Grandma pretending to be spinning tops during a game of charades in the front yard.

It was a great way to end the summer, lots of time outside running around in the sun, swimming in the pools, and spending time away from everyday life with family. On Thrusday Eileen with start her new school and we will be back on the school year schedule, I will keep you posted. Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend.